Through Insulation Patents (Class 29/866)
  • Patent number: 6240629
    Abstract: A connecting tool for guiding a flexfoil into a connector element. The tool includes a guiding part that directs the flexfoil into the opening in the connector element. The tool also includes a crimping part that urges the clamps of the connector element against the flexfoil. The guiding part and the crimping part of the tool are movable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hubertus B. Libregts
  • Patent number: 6230406
    Abstract: A flexible bond harness including a flexible ground subassembly and a rigid ground subassembly which are joined together by a barrel connector. The flexible ground assembly has a first terminal connector which is mounted to the distal end portion of a substantially flexible conductor and the rigid ground assembly has a second terminal connector which is mounted to the distal end portion of a substantially rigid conductor. The barrel connector has a substantially uniform thickness, first and second side walls, a base and is divided into first and second segments. The proximal end portion of the flexible conductor is positioned within the first segment and the proximal end portion of the rigid conductor is positioned within the second segment. The first and second segments of the barrel connector are simultaneously crimped onto the flexible and rigid conductors, respectively, forming a bond which prevents relative motion between the barrel connector and the flexible and rigid conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Motion Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Balfour, John W. Auclair
  • Patent number: 6176731
    Abstract: A blade type terminal fitting (7) has blades (14A, 14B) which cut through wire insulation (16) to contact a wire core (17). To prevent widening of the blades (14A, 14B) as the wire is pressed in, a jig (18) includes pressing members (20) to prevent outward movement of the blades (14A, 14B). A more secure electrical connection is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Aoyama, Mitsugu Furutani, Hitoshi Okumura, Keigo Atsumi
  • Patent number: 6169961
    Abstract: An insulation displacement terminal of a high quality and high performance produced by designing the terminal in accordance with data measurement under a condition similar to an actual insulation displacement connection. An extent of insertion of insulation sheath electric cable 6, a distance between a pair of metal blocks 11 and 12 parallel to each other; and a reaction force and a contact resistance acting between cable 6 and spaced metal blocks 11, 12 is measured while inserting cable 6 into a gap between metal blocks 11 and 12 which have a tapered portion on an end of each block. After completing insertion, the extent of insertion of cable &Dgr;2, gap distance WS2, reaction force F2, and contact resistance R2 are obtained and, at the same time, the presence of broken wires (if any) in the cable is determined. These steps are repeated while changing initial gap WS between metal blocks 11 and 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6169934
    Abstract: A wire harness manufacturing system which issue a working instruction for manufacturing a wire harness to a worker using a network composed of an upstream network and a downstream network, comprising: a clamping pole having a plurality of wire clamps; a jig having a designating portion corresponding to each clamp; a first computer for managing data necessary to manufacture wire harnesses; a second computer for creating an operation instruction file; a third computer for checking the operation instruction file against a master file to create data available for all manufacturing steps; a fourth computer for allotting the file data processed by the third computer to each wire clamping pole, a server for supplying the operation instruction file data to the downstream network; a plurality of information terminal devices which are connected to the servers to requite data necessary for actual operations and provide each designation signal to said designating portion; and a scanner for supplying the number of the cla
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nakayama, Jiro Aikawa, Kouki Takeda
  • Patent number: 6163958
    Abstract: A plurality of insulator-sheathed electric wire elements (a) are secured together to a connector (C) by an insulation displacement manner by means of juxtaposing the electric wire elements (a) on a plane, passing the wire elements (a) through a gripper (10), an insulation displacement press (30), clamping the passed ends of the wire elements by a chuck (43) of a measuring and drawing device (40), drawing the juxtaposed wire elements (a) by a given length by the chuck (43), and pressing the juxtaposed wire elements (a) at the given position in the length and width directions. The connector (C) is attached to the juxtaposed wire elements (a) at the position in the length and width directions by repeating the steps. Upon pressing, the given electric wire elements are cut off at the rear side of the pressed portions. The gripper (10) clamp the juxtaposed wire elements (a) after cutting them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6151776
    Abstract: An installation method for installing machines of different heights at an installation site includes provision of a flexible power cord of particular length, affixed to an upper region of each machine. The power cord is terminated in a power-rated male connector. At the intended installation location, the power cord origination location is identified, which is the location at which the power cord will originate after installation. An interface box having a NEMA female connector is installed at a location such that the female connector is at a radius from the power cord origination location which is less than the length of the flexible power cord. The interface box is installed, connected to a power source, and tested, before physical installation of the machine. At the time of physical installation of the machine, there is no delay attributable to hard-wiring of the power connections to the machine, and it is connected with the flexible power cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: Charles Thomas DiSaverio, James Robert Malia
  • Patent number: 6145192
    Abstract: The device has a base frame having a lever arm that is pivotably mounted at one end and, at its other end, carries a pressure punch. The press punch is moved on a circular path toward individual wires as a result of a manual actuation of the lever arm, and presses the individual wires into IDC contacts as a result of pressure being exerted linearly by a handle provided on a pivoting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Moyaert, Philippe Van Steenkiste
  • Patent number: 6058603
    Abstract: This invention relates to non-metallic, corrosion-resistant strength systems for underwater power and communications systems and methods for terminating such cables. The strength system comprises two non-metallic strength members; each strength member is comprised of at least one glass strand, and each strand is comprised of a plurality of glass filaments that are bound together with a polymeric material. The first strength member is applied in a helical lay over transmission media which forms the core of the cable, and the second strength member is applied over the lay of the first strength member in a helical lay having a circular direction opposite to the lay of the first strength member. The invention further embraces a method of terminating such cables involving the use of an inner termination cone, an adhesive used to secure the strength members onto the inner termination cone, and an outer termination cone which is secured over the inner termination cone and adjoining strength members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Reed
  • Patent number: 6058604
    Abstract: A cable constructed with insulation displacement connectors produces cables which connect data storage devices to a host system. The cable allows automatic address selection of data storage devices depending on the presence or absence of a CSEL terminal pin on a corresponding connector and the location of a data storage device along the cable. Address selection by connector configuration simplifies cable construction. The end connector of an ATA cable is configured to identify an attached data storage device as the first device (drive 0), while an intermediate connector is configured to identify an attached data storage device as the second drive (drive 1), thus making installation more intuitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Tony Goodfellow
  • Patent number: 6021565
    Abstract: A wire connecting structure for connecting covered wires to terminals is provided. The wire connecting structure includes a connector housing body having grooves and a cover body having projections for engagement with the grooves. In arrangement, the terminals are accommodated in the grooves and the covered wires are disposed on the terminals, respectively. The connector housing body has engagement projections formed on opposing sidewalls, while the cover body has engagement holes formed on opposing sidewalls, for engagement with the engagement projections. Owing to the provision of the engagement projections and holes, the connector housing body is detachably united with the cover body on condition that the wires are electrically connected with the terminals. Therefore, it is possible for an operator to dissolve the structure and watch the inside even after the connecting structure is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Shinchi
  • Patent number: 6021567
    Abstract: An insulation displacement terminal of a high quality and high performance can be produced by designing the terminal in accordance with data measurement under a condition similar to an actual insulation displacement connection. An extent of insertion of an insulation sheath electric cable 6, a distance between a pair of metal blocks 11 and 12 spaced in parallel to each other, and a reaction force and a contact resistance acting between the cable 6 and the spaced metal blocks 11, 12 are measured, respectively, while inserting the cable 6 into a gap between the metal blocks 11 and 12 having a tapered portion on an end of each block. Then, an extent of insertion of the cable .DELTA.2, a gap distance WS2, a reaction force F2, and a contact resistance R2 after completing the insertion are obtained and at the same time an occurrence of broken wires in the cable is judged. These steps are repeated while changing an initial gap WS between the metal blocks 11 and 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Harness System Technologies
    Inventor: Yasushi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 5996224
    Abstract: A method of applying twisted wire pairs to an electrical connector is provided. A cable having a plurality of twisted wire pairs is selected for insertion into a selected connector. The twisted wire pairs are untwisted and inserted into the connector in a substantially flat lateral configuration such that the ends of the wires protrude from the connector. Before shearing off the protruding ends of the wires, identification symbols on the wire ends are compared with a standard that indicates a correct symbol identification pattern therefor. Preferably, the protruding ends of the wires are pulled tight against the connector before shearing off the wire ends, to minimize cross-talk. Even more preferably, the connector is crimped concurrently with the shearing off of the wire ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Robert W. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5956844
    Abstract: The method of providing a cable connection between stereo equipment including circuitry, and a speaker amplifier, in a vehicle, the speaker amplifier located remotely from the circuitry, the amplifier and stereo equipment having electrical receptacles, that include providing a slippery, braided, plastic, external sheath on the cable, and providing plug-in electrical contacts at opposite ends of the cable; slidably advancing the cable past and in sliding contact with vehicle body structure that serves to conceal the cable; and plugging the contacts into the receptacle at the stereo equipment and amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Scosche Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kasidy W. Alves, Thomas W. Carl
  • Patent number: 5903971
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved termination apparatus for use in making wire harnesses. The apparatus includes: a connector holder for holding connectors in line; a connector holder drive; a punch for termination a selected terminal of a connector onto a selected wire; a wire insertion-and-guide station for inserting and guiding a wire to the termination position, a detector means for detecting arrival of the inserted wire at the termination position and a test pin for establishing a circuit with the inserted wire; and, a control circuit for controlling the connector holder drive. Under operation of the control circuit, a connector in the connector holder is first aligned with the termination punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoshio Ishiwata, Yoshikatsu Toyofuku, Takeshi Yukitake
  • Patent number: 5807133
    Abstract: An electrical contact with an insulated wire conductor is established by defining a wire passage in a connector housing to receive an insulated wire conductor, and capturing a contact member having an electrically conductive hook portion in the housing. An end of the hook portion projects into the wire passage. When an insulated wire conductor is fed into the passage, insulation on the conductor slides along the hook portion of the contact member. Upon withdrawing or displacing the conductor a certain distance relative to the hook portion, an end of the hook portion engages and pierces the insulation on the conductor to make electrical contact with the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jaime Ray Arnett
  • Patent number: 5806180
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises two parts; an apparatus for automatically installing the supplemental (shunt) joint, and the shunt joint itself. The shunt joint provides both mechanical and electrical connection between two ends of an electrical cable, augmenting the existing joint which may remain in place. The installation device comprises a frame which may be lifted into place over the power line by a crane or helicopter. The frame is provided with a first linear actuator for placing at least first and second wedge elements fitted at each end of an existing socket joint. The frame also comprises a second linear actuator for placing first and second wedge sockets at least partly surrounding the line and cooperating with corresponding wedge elements. At least one threaded shaft, powered by an actuator motor, is provided to pull together the wedge sockets with the wedge elements. Together, the wedge elements and wedge sockets surround and lock around the line at each side of the socket joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Vattenfall, AB
    Inventor: Bo Torbjorn Segerstrom
  • Patent number: 5797179
    Abstract: A machine (40) is disclosed for inserting discrete wires (100) of a cable (98) into insulation displacement contacts (20, 22) of a connector (10) having two mutually offset rows (16, 18) of contacts on the same side of the connector. The machine (40) includes first and second side by side insertion blades (238, 240) and a connector holder (48) that positions the connector to be terminated with respect to the two insertion blades. The first insertion blade (238) inserts wires into insulation displacement contacts (20) of the first row (16) of contacts and the second insertion blade (240) inserts wires in the contacts (22) of the second row (18) of contacts. A movable carriage (46) incrementally moves the connector holder (48) so that each of the contacts in the two rows are alternately positioned in alignment with their respective insertion blades for insertion of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Elton Unger, III, Dale Eugene Stough, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5768766
    Abstract: There is provided a press-connecting tool by which the deformation of a sheath of a wire, as well as the loosening of a conductor of the wire, is prevented at the time of the press-connecting operation so as to keep the conductor in good contact with a press-connecting blade, thereby increasing a wire holding force and also stabilizing a contact resistance. In the press-connecting tool of the invention, a pair of opposed crush prevention walls for preventing the wire from being crushed in the press-connecting direction during the press-connecting operation extend downwardly from each of opposite lower ends of the arcuate pressing portion. The crush prevention walls and the arcuate pressing portion, which jointly form a wire pressing groove for receiving the wire, can contact a sheath of the wire at least over a half of an outer peripheral length of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Hatagishi, Takayoshi Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 5709564
    Abstract: To provide a wiring circuit for an electrical connection box, a method and a device for cutting a wire for circuits is provided. The method and device are inexpensive and capable of securely cutting the wire and separating the circuits in one operation step. A wiring circuit for an electrical connection box comprises wire portions and connecting terminals connected with the wire portions. The wire portions are made by cutting a wire such that at least one of the two cut ends of the wire is bent with respect to the extension direction of the wire simultaneously with the cutting of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamada, Hiroshi Rokutani, Nori Inoue, Yuuji Saka, Takahiro Onizuka, Yoshito Oka
  • Patent number: 5685072
    Abstract: A conductive cable clamp is provided which may be attached to an end region of a coaxial cable in such a manner that a portion of the cable clamp penetrates the outer insulative jacket of the coaxial cable and contacts the ground wire braid of the coaxial cable. Such ground wire braid is severed at the end of the coaxial cable rather than being folded back towards the outer surface of the outer insulative jacket in the usual manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Wright
  • Patent number: 5651178
    Abstract: An IDC termination machine comprises opposed spring loaded gripper pads for clamping and a wire to be terminated in alignment with a corresponding IDC section of a connector. One of the gripper pads is connected to an arm having a camming protrusion that cooperates with a stuffer member. During pulling of the wire between the gripper pads, the gripper pads are biased apart such that the wire can be brought without resistance as close as possible to the connector. Termination is then actuated, and advance movement of the stuffer cams the protrusion into a recess of the camming plate. The gripper pad thus clamps the wire against opposing gripper pad just prior to cutting and termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Tilo Sasse, Manfred Liedloff
  • Patent number: 5636438
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting and crimping connecting terminals which are to be fitted in a connector housing installed in an automobile. The device includes a crimping unit and a cutting unit. The crimping unit includes a shaping die, a cover-squeezing-protrusion crimping punch, and a core-squeezing-protrusion crimping punch, and receives a plurality of connecting terminals connected through coupling protrusions to a carrier plate, to crimp the cover squeezing protrusions and the core squeezing protrusion of each connecting terminal respectively over the cover and the core of a covered conductor. The cutting unit includes a cutting die, and a cutting punch, and cuts the coupling protrusions of the connecting terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Takagishi
  • Patent number: 5632081
    Abstract: A tool (30) is disclosed for inserting insulated conductors (32) into insulation displacement contacts (34) and crimping the strain relief tabs (76) onto the insulated conductor in two stages to minimize distortion of the housing (36) containing the contacts. The tool includes an inserter (48) having a first crimping blade (70) that operates in a first crimping station (86) and a second crimping blade (88) that operates in a second crimping station (102). The inserter (48) includes an insertion blade (66) that fully inserts the insulated conductor (32) in the IDC contact (34) in the first crimping station (86) while the first crimping blade 70 rolls over and partially crimps the tabs (76) that project from the contact (34) onto the insulated conductor (32). Concurrently, the second crimping blade 88 engages the tabs (76) in the second crimping station 102 and completes the crimp to form the strain relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: George H. Gerhard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5577930
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a conductor-receiving groove defined at least in part by a pair of side walls between which an elongated insulated conductor is receivable essentially normally of its length. An electrical contact has an insulation displacement termination section disposed in the groove. A pair of inwardly-directed wings are provided in the groove and spaced from and facing one another to provide a slot therebetween. The conductor is movable through the slot past free ends of the wings into insulation-displacement termination with the termination section of the contact. A pair of retention ribs face inwardly of the side walls of the groove essentially below the wings for embracing and thereby retaining the conductor terminated by the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Dahlem, Paul Murphy, Joseph W. Nellington, Jr., Paul A. Reisdorf, Stephen A. Sampson
  • Patent number: 5548892
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved machine (10) that automatically severs an insulation displacement contact (80) from a carrier strip (90), inserts the contact into an insulating connector housing (210), terminates a wire (242) to the contact (80), and trims the end of the wire flush with the edge of the housing (210). The trimming operation is accomplished during the last part of the contact insertion stroke, after the insulation displacement contact (80) has just begun to engage the wire (242), so that the wire is securely held in place during trimming. A pair of opposite moving slide (126, 132) are utilized where one slide (132) is moved directly by the inserter (28, 260) so that it causes a lever (152) to pivot which in turn moves the other slide (126), carrying the wire trimming blade (192), in the other direction. The lever (152) is arranged so that movement of the one slide (132) results in a greater movement of the other slide (126).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Fitz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5450664
    Abstract: An initially integral terminal assembly 84; 94 useful for terminating a selected conductor 74; of a flat power cable 72 having at least two insulated conductors 74, 76 includes upper and lower plate sections 26, 50 extending in diverging directions from a common bendable hinge 46 defining a cable receiving region therebetween. Each plate section 26, 50 has at least a first portion 28, 52 corresponding to the first conductor 74 and a second portion 36, 60 associated with a second conductor 76 of the cable 72. Each portion 28, 52; 36, 60 further includes conductor terminating regions 30, 38, 54, 62 intermediate opposed upstanding side walls 42, 66 of the upper and lower plate sections 26, 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Babow, Roger N. Polk
  • Patent number: 5429697
    Abstract: A method is provided for sealing openings (24, 26) in a module (10). In accordance with the method, each opening is sealed by providing a readily-puncturable sealing membrane (30, 30') within the module itself to overlie each opening. Each membrane advantageously prevents a gel (28), admitted into the module, from leaking out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Peter F. Lilienthal, II, Ivan Pawlenko
  • Patent number: 5423474
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electric wire joining method wherein, for connecting a crimp terminal (10) to electric wires (11, 12), invading projections (10b, 10c) of the crimp terminal (10) break through insulative coating portions (11a, 12a) of the electric wires (11, 12) into contact with core wire portions (11b, 12b) of the electric wires (11, 12), and the invading projections (10b, 10c) are ultrasonically welded to the core wire portions (11b, 12b) of the electric wires. The electric wire joining method necessitates no stripping process of the insulative coating portions (11a, 12a) from the electric wires (11, 12) but provides stable electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kanagawa, Atsushi Nakamura, Hirofumi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 5410803
    Abstract: A tool is disclosed for terminating conductors of a ribbon cable to insulation displacement contacts of terminals that are partially assembled to a connector housing. After termination of all of the terminals the assembly is removed from the tool and the entire strip of terminals is fully inserted into the connector housing and the carrier strip removed and discarded. The tool includes a terminal strip feed mechanism that is partially contained in the base of the tool that feeds both the strip of terminals and the ribbon cable so that it does not interfere with movement of the ribbon cable. The feed mechanism is coupled to the ram so that energy is stored during the termination stroke of the ram which is subsequently used during the return stroke to drive the feed mechanism in advancing the strip of terminals and ribbon cable into position for terminating the next conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: George H. Gerhard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5355583
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for smoothly and securely inserting a terminal connected to an electric wire into a terminal accommodating chamber within a connector housing from an opening in a notched rear end portion of the housing. The housing has an interior divided by partition walls into a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers each having a rear end defining an opening through which the terminal can be inserted, a notched shoulder portion formed in each partition wall at at least one of joints between the partition wall and top and bottom walls of the housing, and a terminal retaining cover capable of opening away from and closing onto the notched shoulder portions. A guide wall capable of engaging with the notched shoulder portions when the terminal retaining cover is open, thereby defining a flame-shaped terminal insertion opening, allows the terminal to be inserted through the terminal insertion opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Osumi, Hiroo Suzuki, Takao Nakagame
  • Patent number: 5099570
    Abstract: A hand tool for inserting wires into insulation displacement contacts contained within a plastic connector housing is disclosed. An alignment member is provided which has a pair of camming surfaces formed on opposite sides thereof. The alignment member is attached to and moves with the insulation crimping blade and the wire insertion blade during the insertion process. The camming surfaces are arranged to engage the walls of the connector housing on either side of the contact and precisely align the contact with the insertion blade and crimping blade by moving the connector housing as needed just prior to engagement of the insertion blade and crimping blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: George H. Gerhard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5078613
    Abstract: A system for grounding telecommunications cable rack assemblies and the like. The system comprises the positioning of an electrical conductor element beneath each end of at least one of the U-shaped clamp elements of a clamping junction between adjacent cable rack sections. The conductor elements comprise means for piercing the non-electrically conductive painted surface of the adjacent cable rack sections and forming electrical continuity therebetween through the clamping junction when the U-shaped clamp elements thereof are tightened on the adjacent cable rack sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Newton Instrument Company
    Inventor: Garland R. Salmon
  • Patent number: 5061827
    Abstract: A small ferrule having inwardly projecting lances is clenched about a small coaxial cable. The tips of the lances pierce the outer plastic covering of the cable and mechanically engage the underlying metal shield layer. Each lance includes an opening adjacent thereto through which a laser beam is directed to disintegrate a portion of the plastic layer adjacent the lance. Solder paste is then deposited into the opening and heated to cause the solder to reflow and form a low-resistance contact between each lance and an adjacent portion of the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Dimitry G. Grabbe
  • Patent number: 5026301
    Abstract: Lead terminations are provided for terminating the opposite ends of a multimeter test lead to contact devices, including a right angle banana plug contact device and an in-line test probe contact device. The test lead includes a wire having a conductor surrounded by soft easily displaced wire insulation such as silicone. Each termination includes a conductive element with a penetrating portion (such as pin portion 38 in FIG. 3, or prong 110 in FIG. 8) which is advanced into one side of the wire and which moves the wire conductor until the wire conductor moves through the opposite side of the insulation. In a right angle banana plug termination (14, FIG. 3), the contact device (20) has a pin portion (38) which penetrates through a first side of the wire insulation (32) and presses the wire conductor (30) out of an opposite second side of the insulation and against a wall of a bore in an insulative body (40). In an in-line termination (16, FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Marik Balyasny, Raul A. Olivares, Arthur C. Sepmeyer
  • Patent number: 4975080
    Abstract: Upper and lower connecting structures for use with flat power cable by being applied to major surfaces thereof, include arrays of cable-engaging bosses alternating with boss-receiving relief recesses; when pressed together the structures at least press conductor strips out of the cable plane and into opposing recesses of the opposing structures, exposing conductor strip edges for electrical connection and defining an array of interdigitated joints. The upper and lower structures are mechanically locked together by forming pockets in the side walls of the relief recesses of each structure to be disposed beside forwardmost portions of the cable-engaging bosses of the opposing structure upon application to the cable, and then deeply staking each of the interdigitated joints to split axially the forwardmost portion of the cable-engaging bosses and force the split portions laterally into the pockets, so that a portion of each structure is locked behind an associated portion of the other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, Songchin S. Lu, Frederick H. Rider
  • Patent number: 4973267
    Abstract: Electrical connectors each having one row of electrical terminals, are joined together in end to end relationship by slugs formed integrally with end walls of the connectors. Lead receiving portions of the terminals of both of the connectors are loaded with electrical leads, which extend therefrom in the same direction. The slugs are then removed so as to separate the connectors. Dovetail cross section ribs on a side wall of one connector are then slid into complementary grooves in a side wall of the other connector so as to couple the connectors together in back to back relationship, with the leads projecting from opposite sides of the composite two row connector so provided. The invention enables the leads to be loaded into the connectors by means of a lead loading apparatus which is capable of loading electrical connectors only from one side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Bernard Ramelet
  • Patent number: 4973370
    Abstract: Braided fine wire cable is prepared for termination by electrical terminals by a coating of dielectric material such as curable varnish which coats and embeds the myriad of fine wires. The coating upon hardening imparts structural integrity to the otherwise very flexible cable, enabling handling. The coating also retains the wire portions many of which may be severed during application of electrical terminals thereto to obtain electrical connection of portions of the terminals with ends or surfaces of many of the wires, thus preventing disintegration of the cable's termination region when the terminals are applied. The hardened coating also enables the cable region to be shaped and formed to some extent, even including cutting or notching the cable, to adapt the cable region to the structure of the terminals, enabling use of existing terminals used for terminating solid flat conductor cable, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4950180
    Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated where the plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region so that when the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, the wave crests deflect integral strips of conductor cut of the plane of the cable, exposing sheared conductor edges for electrical connection therewith. Softer metal insert members are secured to and along outer surfaces of the plate sections and are then staked to deform the metal against the sheared conductor edges to engage and form gas-tight electrical connections of substantial surface area therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4926548
    Abstract: A method and terminal for mass terminating conductors with high reliability combines insulation piercing and solder technology. Terminals are formed with insulation piercing, conductor engaging portions which have a layer of solder integral therewith. Respective conductors are terminated by the terminals in an insulation piercing operation and the solder reflowed to form a permanent bond therebetween. The terminal slot is designed to clean the conductor surface as well as to fixture it for the solder reflow operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John R. Hopkins, Randy M. Manning, Stephen A. Marusak
  • Patent number: 4917629
    Abstract: An electrical connector to which insulated conductors of a multiconductor cable are connected by insulation piercing, which includes an insulation housing having a front recess and a rear recess; a plurality of contacts arranged in the insulation housing so that their contacting sections are exposed in the front recess and their piercing sections project upwardly in the rear recess; and a guide block disposed in the rear recess and having a lateral slot in which the insulated conductors are arranged side by side at regular intervals, a plurality of vertical slots into which the piercing sections are inserted, and a deformation groove provided behind the vertical slots for securing the insulated conductors to the guide block when it is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Matsuzaki, Shigeru Kikuta
  • Patent number: 4911655
    Abstract: The invention provides for an electrical connection device wherein the portion of the device making the electrical contact is part of but spaced from the point of mechanical retention of the wire to which an electrical contact is made. The invention also provides for an electrical connection/wire insulation disconnect indicator to enable the installer to know when an electrical contact is formed or an insulated wire can be withdrawn from the apparatus without stripping the electrical insulation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Pinyan, Gerald L. Shimarak, Van L. Huynh
  • Patent number: 4879810
    Abstract: Method and apparatus embrace loading electrical conductor wires (100) into a wire retainer (36) which in turn is made to engage and become part of a frame (30) having grooves (37) therein and apertures (34, 35) adapted to receive the retainer and/or components (120) which are terminated to wires implanted in said grooves. The wire retainer may be in the form of a simple wire organizer or an electrical connector. Wire implantation via rolling is taught wherein a roller (114) is driven to cause frame movement beneath the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald G. Sergeant, Allen F. VanDerStuyf
  • Patent number: 4878295
    Abstract: An appartus (10) attaching successive pairs of wires (12) to successive pairs of opposed contacts (15) of a connector (16) comprises a connector-carrying carriage (44,46) mounted for movement along a longitudinal axis. Each of a pair of ram assemblies (100) is mounted on opposite sides of the carriage for movement to and from a separate one of a pair of opposed contacts on the connector. Each pair of wire guides (58) is situated adjacent to a separate one of the ram assemblies for guiding a wire pulled thereacross into alignment with one of a pair the opposed connector contacts. Once each wire is aligned with the connector contact, each ram assembly is actuated to attach the wire to the contact. After wire attachment, an advancing mechanism (120, 126, 134, 142, 146) advances the carriage so that each of a successive pair of contacts is opposite a separate one of the ram assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: American Telephone and Telegraph Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Muhlberger, Willard E. Rapp
  • Patent number: 4870752
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the simultaneous manufacturing and testing of a cable harness assembly having one, or a plurality of spaced apart connectors, of the insulation displacement type, terminated to a planar multi-conductor cable. The system can be programmed to cut or shear the cable immediately after a test thereof fails to verify an appropriately terminated connector or continuity in the cable, or after the cable harness assembly length is reached. By such a system, a minimum of cable is lost to scrap due to the failed electrical testing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher K. Brown, Carl L. Moyer, Joanne E. Shipe, Herman D. Walter
  • Patent number: 4870747
    Abstract: The assembly comprises a first slide (34) carrying a wire insertion tool (38) and a second slide (80) carrying support tools (92). As the slide (34) descends through a working stroke to cause the wire insertion tool (38) to insert a wire (W) into the wire slot (18) of an electrical terminal (10') of a multicontact electrical connector (2), support noses (96) of the support tools (92) which are in an open position, enter the mouths of the wire slots (18) of the next adjacent terminals. The wire insertion tool (38) continues to descend past the noses (96) to insert the wire (W) into the slot (18) of the terminal (10') and the support tools (92) close so that their noses (96) engage the terminals (10) on either side of the terminal (10') to be loaded with wire, thereby to restrain splaying of that terminal (10') as the wire (W) is inserted into its wire slot (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Werner Maack, Richard Zendler
  • Patent number: 4833775
    Abstract: Electro-mechanical connections for flat conductor cables and similar articles are produced with flanged hollow rivets which puncture the cable or cables to be connected and then are compressed into an eyelet configuration which clamps and is secured to the cable. Apparatus and procedures for achieving this result are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventor: Urs F. Nager, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4831722
    Abstract: Method for installing rivet-type electrical connectors onto flat conductor cables wherein the connectors are fed to the machine from a magazine, transferred to a press and then pressed onto and through the cable over an anvil which holds the rivet-type connector to form a secure connection with the cable. The resulting profile of the connector is such that it extends through the conductor of the cable and is held thereon by a flange on one side of the cable and an eyelet-type crimp on the opposite side of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventors: Alajos Z. Bauer, Michael A. Verespej
  • Patent number: 4831727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus adapted to assist in making electrical wiring harnesses comprised of connectors (12) having passages (14) on given center-to-center spacing and containing terminals (20) terminated to flexible wires (40); the method and apparatus featuring providing tooling to effect wire shear and termination on the given spacing via a spring-loaded wire clamp and wire guide means associated with nesting die (50) and punch (54) tooling whereby the wires are sheared and terminated in a single stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith Johnson, Jr., Joseph F. Stachura, Josita M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4821409
    Abstract: Electro-mechanical connections for flat conductor cables and similar articles are produced with flanged hollow rivets which puncture the cable or cables to be connected and then are compressed into an eyelet configuration which clamps and is secured to the cable. Apparatus and procedures for achieving this result are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventor: Urs F. Nager, Jr.